Gasoline tank cap



Nov. 5, 1929. MUELLER 1,734,527

GASOLINE TANK GAP Filed June 20, 1927 Jase 05 of Mad/e11 ATTORN EY WITNESS:

Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH J. MUELLER, on RACINE, \VISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR To'MUELLEn ENGINEERING WORKS, on RAGINE, wIsooNsrN GASOLINE TANK CAP Application filed June 20,

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in gasoline tank caps and has for its principal object the provision of an improved construction of this character which will be hi hly etlicient in use and economical in manufacture.

Among the salient objects of the invention is to provide a cap, of the character hereinafter described, adaptable for association with the nipples or necks of gasoline tanks of various diameters.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cap which may be expeditiously conlnected to the'neck or nipple of a gasoline tan Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed. a

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse vertical section detail View of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a gasoline tank nipple or neck showing the invention associated therewith withthe cover in open position.

Referring more particularly to the draw? ing a gasoline tank nipple or neck is indicated as 10 and with this nipple or neck my improved cap is associated.

In the present instance, the preferred form of construction of the invention includes a cover 11. This cover 11 is substantially dishshaped and has its marginal edge formed to provide an annular ring 12 for reasons hereinafter described. The peripheral edge of this marginal edge is rolled inwardly to provide an annular bead 13.

Arranged in the cover 11 and extending transversely with respect thereto is a U- shaped strip 14:. The U-shaped strip 14: has its bight portion confined in the cover 11 with its limb portions 15 and 16 extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom. The limb portion 15 is rolled to provide a knuckle 17 supporting a pintle 18 which in the present instance hingedly connects the correspond- 1927. Serial No. 200,117.

ing end portions 19 of two semi-circular shaped ring elements 20 to this knuckle.

The limb portion 16 has its lower end portion curled to provide a finger-piece 21 and inwardly of this linger-piece the limb porspring leaves 25 having their intermediate 5 portions 26 connected to the ring elements 20 through the medium of suitable connecting elements 27 such as rivets or the like. The spring leaves are buckled to provide fingers 28 adapted to engage adjacent portions of P the neck 10. These fingers 28 are clamped into engagement with respect to the neck 10 through the medium of adjustable screws 29 carried by the ring elements 20.

Arranged in the cover 11 upon the bight portion of the strip 1 1 is a disc 31 having its peripheral edge 32 engaging the line of juncture between the ring 12 and the top of the cover. This disc 31 has formed therein notches 33 through which project the limb portions 15 and 16. Formed centrally in this disc 31 is an opening 3 1 which registers with a threaded opening 35 formed in the bight portion of the strip 14. Arranged upon the disc 31 within the cover 11 is a plate 36 formed of suitable packing material and this plate 36 has its peripheral edge frictionally engaging the interior surface of the cover 11 above the head 13. Formed in this plate are notches 37 for the passage of thelimbs 15 and 16 and formed centrally in this plate is an opening 38 whichregisters with the opening 34: for the passage of a bolt 39 adapted to be threaded into the opening 35. This bolt 39 carries a washer 30 and functions to connect the plate 36 and disc 31 to the bight portion of the strip 14. i

In use, in applying the cap to the neck or nipple of a gasoline tank the ring elements 20 are arranged concentrically with respect to the neck so that when the cover 11 is in closed position the packing plate 36 will engage the peripheral edge of the neck whereby to provide an effective seal between the cover and the neck. The rings thus properly arranged concentrically with respect to the neck 10 are clamped thereto by threading the screws 29 in a direction to force the fingers 28 into clamping relation with respect to the neck. The cover is held in closed position by the limb portion 16 which has sufiicient yieldable property to snap over and in engagement with the pintle 18.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be apparent that my improved cap is of a simple construction and may be associated with the necks or nipples of gasoline tanks of various diameters. 1

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A cap for the nipple of a tank including a ring adapted to be arranged concentrically with respect to the nipple, means for connecting said ring to said nipple, a cover, means for hingedly connecting said cover to said ring at one side of said nipple, and means for detachably connecting said cover to said ring at the opposite side of said nipple, said first mentioned means including spring members having their intermediate portions connected to said ring on opposite sides of said nipple and buckled to provide fingers adapted for clamping engagement with said nipple, and means for moving said fingers into clamping engagement with said nipple.

2. The combination withv the nipple of a tank, of a cover, a substantially U-shaped strip having its bight portion arranged in the cover and having its limb portions extending outwardly therefrom, one of said limb portions having its end portion bent to provide a knuckle, the other of the limb portions hav ing its end portion bent to provide a fingerpiece and providing inwardly of said fingerpiece a depression, two ring elements adapted to be arranged concentrically with respect to said nipple in opposed relation with respect to each other, a pintle connecting corresponding end portions of said ring elements to said knuckle, a pin connecting the opposite said portions of said ring elements togetherand adapted to have snapping engagement in i said depression, means connecting said ring elements to said nipple, and means connecting the said U-shaped strip to said cover.

3. The combination with the nipple of a tank, a cover, a substantially U-shaped strip having its bight portion arranged in the to said knuckle, a pin connecting the opposite said portions of said ringelementstogether and adapted to have snapping engagement in said depression, means connecting said ring elements to said nipple, and means connecting the said U-shaped strip to said cover, said last mentioned means including a packing plate adapted to have engagement with the peripheral edge of said nipple when. said cover is arranged in closing position with respect to said nipple.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH J. MUELLER. 

